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This file contains:
A Proposal to the Republican National Committee. 8 pages. [Other Document], n.d.
Ted Rogers to Len Hall & Bob Finch, re: RN-National TV. 3 pages. [Memo], 10/25/1960
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WHSF: Returned, 46-20
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WHSF: Returned, 46-20
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This file contains:
A Proposal to the Republican National Committee. 8 pages. [Other Document], n.d.
Ted Rogers to Len Hall & Bob Finch, re: RN-National TV. 3 pages. [Memo], 10/25/1960
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Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Returned White House Special Files
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number Folder Number Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
46
20
n.d.
Other Document
A Proposal to the Republican National
Committee. 8 pages.
46
20
10/25/1960
Memo
Ted Rogers to Len Hall & Bob Finch, re: RN-
National TV. 3 pages.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Page 1 of 1
M.A.L. L. copy
A PROPOSAL
to the
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
A PROPOSAL TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
We suggest a new method of dynamic campaigning which would:
1. Assure personal contact between the voter
and his local Republican organisation;
2. Create a framework within which to coordinate
the efforts of local, state and national
campaign organizations;
3. Combine up-to-date techniques of showmanship
with the spirit of the torch-light parade
and the Fourth of July picnic to divorce the
party image from Madison Avenue and unite it
firmly with Main Street;
4. Constitute a revival of the great American
tradition of grass roots participation in
national politics and in so doing recall the
confident spirit of an earlier era in America.
THE G.O.P. CAMPAIGN CARAVANS
DEFINITION:
Each caravan would be a unified campaign team
headed by a prominent Republican speaker.
Supporting the speaker would be a complete
entertainment package, adaptable to indoor or
outdoor locations. The Republican National
Committee would assign each caravan to a
crucial political area.
We anticipate that the Number One unit would
accompany the Presidential candidate himself
and would be augmented by special attractions.
PROMOTION and TICKET DISTRIBUTION:
The key to the success of this entire scheme is
that the voter, in order to see the show, must
call at his nearest Republican campaign head-
quarters to obtain tickets. These would be
distributed on a first come, first served basis,
with a limit of two tickets per voter.
Advertising should appearinex in all local media to announce the
coming of the caravan and the method of ticket distribution.
This promotion would be the coordinated effort of local,
state and national committees.
proposal - page three
SCOPE:
The number of caravans would be determined by
the campaign strategy of the Republican
National Committee.
The caravans would appear during four weeks in
October, exclusive of the week just prior to
Election Day.
Two to four performances would be scheduled
six
per day, seven days each week.
A conservative estimate of the audience would be
ten thousand per performance, per caravan. This
figure will depend upon locale and capacity of
local facilities.
COMPOSITION:
The entertainment package will be headed by a
nationally known show-business personality,
carefully chosen for his appeal to the voters in
proposal - page four
his sector. The rest of the show would consist
of a well-known second feature, two outstanding
supporting acts, and a company of nine dancers
and a production singer. Providing the music
for each unit would be a basic ten-piece
orchestra.
An important advantage of these caravans would
be their flexibility in accommodating such
regional and local talent as the local Republican
organization and the producer might wish to
include.
Each caravan would carry its own company manager
and stage manager, and would be preceded by an
advance man.
A feature of this plan would be the performance of
material written especially to put over the
proposal - page five
Republican message.
FORMAT:
Following a rousing welcome by the band, the
rally will kick off with a specially written
opening number by the company, which would
lead to the introduction of your speaker. After
the speech, the program would again turn to the
lighter side with a fast moving forty-five
minute revue.
LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS:
The selection and rental of the site, hiring of
public address system, lights, stage hands,
ushers and any personnel required by local
regulations would be the responsibility of the
local Republican organisation, subject to specifica-
tions set forth by the National Committee and the
producer.
proposal - page six
The use of Campaign Caravans will have a double impact:
1. The voter is motivated to seek a personal
contact with his local committee;
2. In attending the rally, the voter will become
part of a receptive crowd caught up in the
enthusiasm generated by this festive occasion.
Thus, each voter becomes personally involved in
the dynamism of the campaign. He is participating
in a community event which renews the greatest
American traditions of town meeting politics.
This double personal contact between party and voter can be accomplished at no more
than the cost of a telephone call to the voter.
On the basis of just ten caravan units for only a
four week period, a conservative estimate of the
total audience is ten million in crucial areas.
We estimate the total price per week, per unit, at
twelve thousand ($12,000.00) dollars, exclusive of star.
A Word About Howard Lanin Management, Inc.
As entertainment consultants, ve deal constantly with
the general public as well as special audiences of
various geographical and socio-economic backgrounds.
Each of our shows is tailored to its particular
audience.
We are frequently called upon to produce shows which
integrate subject matter and relate to a given
objective or occasion.
Having managed the nation-wide tours of such attractions
as The Gershwin Festival, The Royal Danish Ballet and,
of course, Howard Lanin Orchestras, we are thoroughly
experienced in these matters.
Our staff includes expert creative and technical person"
nel: writers, designers, directors, choreographers, etc.
and America's foremost authority on community and
industrial showmanship.
October 25, 1960
TO:
Len Hall & Bob Finch
TR
FROM:
Ted Rogers
SUBJECT:
RN-National TV
001
Fred Seribner, Fred Seaton, HB. 1. Rogers, C. P. Newton,
Herb Klein, Jim Shepley, Jim Bassett
My concern about the course of the campaign centers about
my feeling that RN is being hurt rather than helped by some of his
national TV.
I start with this: people want more than just another
men as their leader. They want a hero, a father image, a king.
Cell it what you will, I believe the American people right now
want a president who is someone slightly more than human and who
can be relied upon to lead us safely through the years shead.
I would say R$ has nearly achieved hero status twice in
his career, discounting the secondary glory he got in Eisenhower's
spotlight. One time was his return from the 1958 South merican
tour when Congressmen and Senators of both parties, plus the
President, cheering crowds and bands greeted him at the Airport.
The other time was at the Republican Convention in Chisago last
July when he was greeted by a tumultuous display of enthusisam, a
chorus singing the "Battle Hyan" andgrest excitement generally. we
could toll his Acceptance Speech was a fine oration because of the
resction shots from the crowd.
Since then, this hero image has been methodically destroyed
-2-
by each national television appearance:
- we saw RM parrying the thrusts of David Susskind
and his brethren of deliberate controversialists.
- and how many folksy interviews?
- and the four debates.
We argued against four; two would have been better. But
surely what has happened is clear now. Kennedy went into those
debates having nothing to lose. The public had no clear image of
him. But they do now. They know Kennedy as the men who can stand
up to RN. RN and the Debate Platform provided the cast and stage
to make Jack Kennedy a star. Some will argue RM "won" some of the
later debates. This was a Pyrrhic victory at best. while we've
been occupied with formats, "image", and presentation, the JK
group is killing off our hero.
A fifth debate may chip away still more of our hero's
stature.
It may be too late. Or we may still come through. I have
my doubts about the outcome now where 1 had no doubts just after the
Convention, I don't know.
But let's have no more appearances by either Nixon or
Lodge unless they arespeaking to a big rally, and keep the speech
a minor part of the performance. Let us use air time for the entrance
and for the displays. Let the TV audiences see crowds cheering
-3-
our man again.
Cincinnati will help. November 2 will help. But something
else I big -- must also occur.
In developing Election Ive, let us keep all this in mind.
The impact of the DD8-1952 Election Eve hour actually was a cumulative
effect of many huge rallies around the country -- all shouting,
"we like Ike". RM states this format belongs to DDE - not him.
But let us not make the mistake of presenting an Election live which
tears down the "acceptance", cheering or hero image of the candidate.
He must ride a hero's white stallion -- not a debete pedium -- to
victory.
I propose to present format suggestions for Election Ave
in the next few days which embrace the basic thought of this memo.